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Generator question
Hi all
I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M |
g wrote:
Hi all I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M A common reason for the surging is the engine is starving for fuel, usually because the carb is dirty. Does the carb have an adjustable high or low speed jet? If so, turn the jet CCW a bit to see if the problem gets better.You may end up dropping the carb bowl to see if there is dirt or varnish built up in the carb. How long has it been since the engine ran? Was the fuel drained from the carb or was a fuel stabilizer used? |
On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:31:50 -0400, g wrote:
I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? ================================== You don't say whether or not it is gas or diesel, or whether or not the surging occurs with no load or not. If gas, the most likely reason is a gummed up carburetor from sitting idle (you don't say how long). Is the choke opening up properly after it warms up? If not you could try spraying some "Gum Out" into the carb. When the engine is surging, it is generating something other than 60 cyce power which can damage non-resistive loads or electronic gear. Test with light bulbs or electric heaters which don't care about line frequency. |
Adjust the low speed air jet on the carburetor and you can smooth it out. I
have to do mine every time it sits for a long time. -- Bill Chesapeake, Va "g" wrote in message ... Hi all I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M |
"Harry Krause" wrote in message ... Wayne.B wrote: On Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:31:50 -0400, g wrote: I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? ================================== You don't say whether or not it is gas or diesel, or whether or not the surging occurs with no load or not. If gas, the most likely reason is a gummed up carburetor from sitting idle (you don't say how long). Is the choke opening up properly after it warms up? If not you could try spraying some "Gum Out" into the carb. When the engine is surging, it is generating something other than 60 cyce power which can damage non-resistive loads or electronic gear. Test with light bulbs or electric heaters which don't care about line frequency. If you have a standby genny for your house, you should run it for at least an hour a week, and under load. First, you want to make sure it is running properly, in case you need it. Second, you want to cycle through the fuel. Third, you want to make sure your electrical hookups are wired properly. Fourth, you want to become and remain competent in use of the device. In fact, even on your boat, you should run your genny at least once a week, and for the same reasons. We have a 500-gallon liquified gas tank buried in our yard to fuel our hot water heater, gas range, fireplace, and as the primary fuel for our main heat pump. It was a minor expense to have the plumber run a line to the household backup genny. You did not address his question Harry. You only posted to brag about your "household backup genny". So typical of you. g...looks like others have addressed your question and there is nothing more I can add. |
Start with fresh gas, clean the carb... at least that's where I would start.
"g" wrote in message ... Hi all I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M |
More than likely your carb is gunked up from sitting. Clean it. On one I
had to disassemble and run a wire through the main jet. After you get it fixed then next time you expect it to sit for a while turn off the fuel and let it run without a load until it burns up all the gas in the carb. "g" wrote in message ... Hi all I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M |
Hi all
thanks for all the reply Its a gas genset. I have no clue how long it sat and if the old owner used some stabilizer in the fuel. I am guessing that it sat for at least 2 years. And it surges all time time. load. or no load. you can even see it surging on the boats volt meter. Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:31:50 -0400, g wrote: Hi all I have a quick silver 7.5 KW genset and its been sitting for a wild. we started it up and it wont hole RPM it just surges vroom-vroom-vroom IT will generate power any idea how I fix this? THanks M |
bg clarifies:
-Its a gas genset. I have no clue how long it sat and if the old owner used some stabilizer in the fuel. I am guessing that it sat for at least 2 years. And it surges all time time. load. or no load. you can even see it surging on the boats volt meter- Bilge- What have you done to the fuel system? Is your boat also gas powered...and if so, do the mains also have these problems? Is your engine breathing freely? Are your filters clean and your air intake scuttles open? Is your genny fuel injected or carburetted? At the very,very minimum, you should be changing the genny's fuel filter(s). You might also have condensation water in your fuel tanks...wanna know what it's like to activate a steamship from the James River "Dead Fleet"? Ya lurn about that trick fast when your boiler burners start sputtering. Your voltmeter surging means that the genny is self-excited. You cannot, at this point, rule out a governor problem, but this is sounding more like a fuel /air problem. G'luck; Mutiny is a Management Tool Select Your Tattoo while Sober |
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 05:36:22 -0400, g wrote:
And it surges all time time. load. or no load. you can even see it surging on the boats volt meter. ==================================== I'd say that it is either the carburetor or governor, probably the carb given the history of sitting idle. |
g wrote:
Hi all thanks for all the reply Its a gas genset. I have no clue how long it sat and if the old owner used some stabilizer in the fuel. I am guessing that it sat for at least 2 years. And it surges all time time. load. or no load. you can even see it surging on the boats volt meter. I have seen this problem many times on generators that rarely get used. Typically, the homeowner doesn't run the generator until there is a power outage, at that point it won't start and they bring it in to be fixed. The first step is to drop the carb bowl and clean it, especially the jets and needle and seat. After a couple visits they start looking for a propane-powered unit. Sometimes you get lucky, try turning the high and low speed jets out a turn, then turn them back in. Sometimes this will clear an obstruction in the jet. What is the make of the engine? The generator is made by Generac I think, but is the engine a Briggs& Stratton or a Tecumseh? |
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:15:06 -0400, John Wentworth
wrote: What is the make of the engine? The generator is made by Generac I think, but is the engine a Briggs& Stratton or a Tecumseh? ===================================== Lucky it starts at all. Nothing but Honda OHVs for me when it comes to home generator engines. They are incredibly reliable and trouble free. I wish they made a diesel marine version. |
jhwentworthspam replies:
-The first step is to drop the carb bowl and clean it, especially the jets and needle and seat. After a couple visits they start looking for a propane-powered unit.- Bilge- Is the culprit that ole devil varnish? All our gensets are diesel, so we have to worry more about bacteria and algae and water..oh my...at least it gives the 3rds something to do. Coast Guard regs for us require the emergency diesel genny to be run under load for 1 hour each week...precisely to find out that it won't work when you DON'T need it. IIRC, the lifeboat engines need to be run once a month...ditto. Propane engines...Lord, Carrier used to make propane engine-driven reefer compressors back in Magellan's day...they were almost universally loathed as POS. -Sometimes you get lucky, try turning the high and low speed jets out a turn, then turn them back in. Sometimes this will clear an obstruction in the jet.-jhwentworthspam Bilge- And sometimes you back the jet out too far and hear it rattle right on down the intake and fetch up against the valve... ....sorry, couldn't resist the "My Cousin Vinny" quote. G'luck Mutiny is a Management Tool Select Your Tattoo while Sober |
Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:15:06 -0400, John Wentworth wrote: What is the make of the engine? The generator is made by Generac I think, but is the engine a Briggs& Stratton or a Tecumseh? ===================================== Lucky it starts at all. Nothing but Honda OHVs for me when it comes to home generator engines. They are incredibly reliable and trouble free. I wish they made a diesel marine version. Honda makes a good motor, but there is no magic. Any gasoline powered engine that is left alone for 2 years will have a problem. There's nothing wrong with a Briggs or a Tencumseh. BTW: Not all Honda motors are created equal. That Honda lawnmower you buy at Home Depot is not the same unit you saw in Consumer Reports. |
Bilgeman wrote:
-Sometimes you get lucky, try turning the high and low speed jets out a turn, then turn them back in. Sometimes this will clear an obstruction in the jet.-jhwentworthspam Bilge- And sometimes you back the jet out too far and hear it rattle right on down the intake and fetch up against the valve... If you back out the jet too far it might fall on the ground, but not go down the intake. My comments are based on a commercial 10-20 hp powered generator. |
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 21:56:57 -0400, John Wentworth
wrote: Honda makes a good motor, but there is no magic. Any gasoline powered engine that is left alone for 2 years will have a problem. There's nothing wrong with a Briggs or a Tencumseh. ========================================== B&S engines have an average lifespan of about 500 hours in home generator service. Honda OHVs typically go 1500 to 2000. I once bought a Home Despot Generac with B&S engine and returned it the next day because I never could get it started. The Honda that I bought to replace it always starts on the first or second pull, even when it hasn't been run in 6 months. It is noisy however, wish I had one of the new quiet models. |
Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 21:56:57 -0400, John Wentworth wrote: Honda makes a good motor, but there is no magic. Any gasoline powered engine that is left alone for 2 years will have a problem. There's nothing wrong with a Briggs or a Tencumseh. ========================================== B&S engines have an average lifespan of about 500 hours in home generator service. Honda OHVs typically go 1500 to 2000. I once bought a Home Despot Generac with B&S engine and returned it the next day because I never could get it started. The Honda that I bought to replace it always starts on the first or second pull, even when it hasn't been run in 6 months. It is noisy however, wish I had one of the new quiet models. Out of curiosity, Wayne, on what are you basing your "lifespan" statistics? I've never been much of a fan of Briggs & Stratton engines, but I've not been convinced there are great differences between small gasonline "lawnmower" engines. -- Not dead, in jail, or a slave? Thank a liberal! And don't forget to pay your taxes so the rich don't have to! |
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 23:15:00 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: Out of curiosity, Wayne, on what are you basing your "lifespan" statistics? I've never been much of a fan of Briggs & Stratton engines, but I've not been convinced there are great differences between small gasonline "lawnmower" engines. =========================================== The numbers I quoted came from people who supply generators for disaster relief efforts. The difference between engines is like the difference between an Accord and a Kia. They're both cars but that's where it stops. |
On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 14:43:25 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote: On Fri, 10 Sep 2004 13:15:06 -0400, John Wentworth wrote: What is the make of the engine? The generator is made by Generac I think, but is the engine a Briggs& Stratton or a Tecumseh? ===================================== Lucky it starts at all. Nothing but Honda OHVs for me when it comes to home generator engines. They are incredibly reliable and trouble free. That's interesting. I had a Husqvarna with a Honda OHV and it was a bear to start, noisy as hell and problematic at generating electricity. Total piece of crap. On the other hand, I have a backup generator for the bait freezer that is a crapola B&S Coleman AG generator and it's never failed to start even if it's sat for a year or so. I use fuel stabilizer, but that isn't a cureall for everything. It's got to be at least 15 years old. One of the "industrial" series engines. Which is basically a lawnmower engine. :) Oddly, I have one of those little Honda gensets (1.5Kw camper deals) and love it - quiet, starts first pull, purrs right along. I use it on the Contender from time-to-time during football season and if there is a ham radio CW grid contest. And just to keep this fair, one of my neighbors has a Honda genset and just bought a second one - great little generators. I wish they made a diesel marine version. My house is on a three cylinder Kubota 15 Kw diesel and it runs great. I bought it as a left over from the generator upgrade at the local volunteer fire department six/seven years ago. Usually start it once a month or so by shutting down the mains in the house and barn to test the switch over too. That thing is noisy on start, but once it warms up, works great. I understand that this is actually a Yanmar three cylinder marine diesel, but that could be total BS. Later, Tom |
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 08:18:35 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: Short Wave Sportfishing wrote: ~~ snippage ~~ My house is on a three cylinder Kubota 15 Kw diesel and it runs great. I bought it as a left over from the generator upgrade at the local volunteer fire department six/seven years ago. Usually start it once a month or so by shutting down the mains in the house and barn to test the switch over too. That thing is noisy on start, but once it warms up, works great. I understand that this is actually a Yanmar three cylinder marine diesel, but that could be total BS. The proliferation of pieces and parts is amazing. When I was looking for a yard tractor (to cut the lawn -as opposed to my old diesel farm tractor), I looked at the John Deere line. Most of under $3000 units had Briggs & Stratton engines, or maybe a Kohler. "But the real cream of the small line JD tractors," the sales guy told me, "has a Kawasaki four stroke...best small gas engines going." If I recall, some of the JD smaller diesel tractors use Kubota engines. Some of the JD transmissions are made in Europe and China---ke-ripes. Heh - it's enough to make you run screaming into the wilderness. :) A friend of mine sells Zetor/Century tractors which are made in North Carolina with Kubota frames, Czechoslovakian sheet metal, Case/IH hydraulic pumps, Chinese hubs, bearings and wheels and a Korean knockoff of the Kubota diesel. This past weekend, I saw a Chinese 40 hp four cylinder diesel, Iron Horse I think they were called, with a basic loader and three point hitch for $12,000. Unreal. Well. Well indeed. I ended up getting a Husqvarna lawn tractor on the internet. Sears sells them under its own brand name, but their tractors have B&S engines and Kohler engines. The XP line, apparently not sold by Sears, has the Kawasaki engines. Though Husqvarna is a Swedish company, the tractors are made in Canada. My neighbor has a Husqvarna with the Kawasaki 25 horse four stroke. That is a nice lawn tractor. I have a Ariens 1742 zero turn that I really like a lot. It has a B&S engine and runs like a top - I've got three acres of f'in lawn to mow and vacuum. :) Now, my old diesel farm tractor is nearing the end of its life, and I've been eyeing a four wheel drive JD diesel tractor. The damn thing really fascinates me. But that means I'd have to take farming a bit more seriously. Damn thing swings a massive posthole digger, though...and that appeals. Seriously, look into the Zetor/Century line. At least they are assembled in the US - fairly inexpensive and from what I can see, run forever. You might also want to look into the Long line of tractors which are basically American made knockoffs of the Case/IH line. Take care. Tom "The beatings will stop when morale improves." E. Teach, 1717 |
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 08:18:35 -0400, Harry Krause wrote: Short Wave Sportfishing wrote: ~~ snippage ~~ My house is on a three cylinder Kubota 15 Kw diesel and it runs great. I bought it as a left over from the generator upgrade at the local volunteer fire department six/seven years ago. Usually start it once a month or so by shutting down the mains in the house and barn to test the switch over too. That thing is noisy on start, but once it warms up, works great. I understand that this is actually a Yanmar three cylinder marine diesel, but that could be total BS. The proliferation of pieces and parts is amazing. When I was looking for a yard tractor (to cut the lawn -as opposed to my old diesel farm tractor), I looked at the John Deere line. Most of under $3000 units had Briggs & Stratton engines, or maybe a Kohler. "But the real cream of the small line JD tractors," the sales guy told me, "has a Kawasaki four stroke...best small gas engines going." If I recall, some of the JD smaller diesel tractors use Kubota engines. Some of the JD transmissions are made in Europe and China---ke-ripes. Heh - it's enough to make you run screaming into the wilderness. :) A friend of mine sells Zetor/Century tractors which are made in North Carolina with Kubota frames, Czechoslovakian sheet metal, Case/IH hydraulic pumps, Chinese hubs, bearings and wheels and a Korean knockoff of the Kubota diesel. This past weekend, I saw a Chinese 40 hp four cylinder diesel, Iron Horse I think they were called, with a basic loader and three point hitch for $12,000. Unreal. Well. Well indeed. I ended up getting a Husqvarna lawn tractor on the internet. Sears sells them under its own brand name, but their tractors have B&S engines and Kohler engines. The XP line, apparently not sold by Sears, has the Kawasaki engines. Though Husqvarna is a Swedish company, the tractors are made in Canada. My neighbor has a Husqvarna with the Kawasaki 25 horse four stroke. That is a nice lawn tractor. I have a Ariens 1742 zero turn that I really like a lot. It has a B&S engine and runs like a top - I've got three acres of f'in lawn to mow and vacuum. :) Now, my old diesel farm tractor is nearing the end of its life, and I've been eyeing a four wheel drive JD diesel tractor. The damn thing really fascinates me. But that means I'd have to take farming a bit more seriously. Damn thing swings a massive posthole digger, though...and that appeals. Seriously, look into the Zetor/Century line. At least they are assembled in the US - fairly inexpensive and from what I can see, run forever. You might also want to look into the Long line of tractors which are basically American made knockoffs of the Case/IH line. Take care. Tom "The beatings will stop when morale improves." E. Teach, 1717 Zetor/Century...I love the name...it's so off-planet. -- Not dead, in jail, or a slave? Thank a liberal! And don't forget to pay your taxes so the rich don't have to! |
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 20:10:52 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: ~ mucho snippage ~ Zetor/Century...I love the name...it's so off-planet. Funny you should mention that. It is the eighth book of the Lensman Series by E. E. "Doc" Smith - "Zetor Century". Gharlane of Eddore figures prominently in this one by inventing the Zetor which is intended to destroy Civilization in a Century. Later, Tom ----------- "Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learnt..." Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653 |
Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 20:10:52 -0400, Harry Krause wrote: ~ mucho snippage ~ Zetor/Century...I love the name...it's so off-planet. Funny you should mention that. It is the eighth book of the Lensman Series by E. E. "Doc" Smith - "Zetor Century". Gharlane of Eddore figures prominently in this one by inventing the Zetor which is intended to destroy Civilization in a Century. Later, Tom ----------- "Angling may be said to be so like the mathematics that it can never be fully learnt..." Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653 Aha...and Zetor, of course, is a metaphor for the neoconservatives... -- Not dead, in jail, or a slave? Thank a liberal! And don't forget to pay your taxes so the rich don't have to! |
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 22:02:52 -0400, Harry Krause
wrote: Short Wave Sportfishing wrote: On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 20:10:52 -0400, Harry Krause wrote: ~ mucho snippage ~ Zetor/Century...I love the name...it's so off-planet. Funny you should mention that. It is the eighth book of the Lensman Series by E. E. "Doc" Smith - "Zetor Century". Gharlane of Eddore figures prominently in this one by inventing the Zetor which is intended to destroy Civilization in a Century. Aha...and Zetor, of course, is a metaphor for the neoconservatives... No - Zetor would be the metaphor for nimrods who refuse to use their intellectual prowess to critically analyze political viewpoints and instead, blindly follow without questioning their own leadership. :) Plus, I made it up. :) Take care. Tom "The beatings will stop when morale improves." E. Teach, 1717 |
John Wentworth wrote in message ...
What is the make of the engine? The generator is made by Generac I think, but is the engine a Briggs& Stratton or a Tecumseh? Some Generac products used Tecumseh or B&S engines, but there was also the Generac brand engine which I think Generac and B&S developed as joint venture. There was a parting of the ways and Generac was therefore building their own engines. Subsequently Briggs owns Generac's line of generators and pressure washers so it's almost moot now. http://www.briggspowerproducts.com/d...sp?DocID=61412 %mod% |
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